Membership Criteria

The Membership Committee’s primary function is the evaluation and sequencing of nominations for membership; and the Committee is responsible for identifying potential candidates through the process of sponsorship. The Club’s By-Laws require all nominations for Active A membership to be signed by 2 Active A members as sponsors. In addition, nominations for Active A membership are, pursuant to Board directive, required to be supported by the written endorsements of an additional 3 Active A members. All prospective Active A members are required to visit with the Membership Committee over several meetings and to play a pre-arranged round of golf with a member of the Membership Committee or other authorized Committee member.
2 House members can sponsor a new House member, which also must include one endorsement letter from an additional Active A or House member. No member shall be eligible to propose or second a nomination of a prospective new member unless he or she is a member in good standing for at least 2 years.

The nomination of prospective new members is vital to the continuity and financial stability of the Club. The role of sponsorship carries a major responsibility and should include not only a great deal of thought, but also an investment of time and resources, by the sponsors. It is incumbent upon each sponsor to maintain its highest standards for Membership. Each sponsor’s knowledge of the family, social and business life of a nominee and his/her family is solicited and will be kept in the strictest confidence.

In considering candidates for membership, the Membership Committee as suggested by the National Club Association, focuses on (among others) the following criteria for acceptance:

• The personal character and habits of the candidate, his/her spouse and his/her family members
• The compatibility of a candidate’s life style and avocations with those of existing members
• The personal reputation of a candidate in the community for integrity, veracity, fair dealing, moral character
• The personal or social relationships of a candidate with existing Club members
• The compatibility of a candidate’s athletic and recreational interests with those of existing members and with available Club facilities
• A candidate’s general demeanor and his/her ability to interact with existing members
• A candidate’s financial ability to participate in his/her expected use of the Club and its facilities and programs
• The compatibility of candidate’s formal and/or informal educational background with those of existing members

The names and addresses of each nominee for membership, together with the names of each sponsor will be posted on the Club bulletin board outside the Grill Room at least 10 days before action by the Board may be taken on such nomination.

Final authority to approve or disapprove all nominations preliminarily approved by the Membership Committee and submitted to the Board shall rest with the Board. Final authority with respect to all nominations not preliminarily approved by the Membership Committee for submission to the Board shall rest with the Membership Committee.

The membership process is confidential. Records of all Membership admission deliberations are confidential. If the Membership Committee does not preliminarily approve a nomination (as a prelude to submitting the same to the Board) or if the Board does not approve a nomination preliminarily approved by the Membership Committee and submitted to the Board, neither the nominee nor either of his/her sponsors will be given the specific reason or reasons.

The Club follows the same nomination and admission procedures for every candidate for membership. No exceptions will be made to qualifications required of prospective members.